In Cheyne’s post a few people suggested that begginers surf with no leash which I found interesting since I am a begginer who likes to surf without a leash. I’ve been surfing longboards for about one year but I’ve bodyboarded for 15 years all over Latin America and Cali so I know ettiquette. I like to surf with no leash but I am hessitant because I don’t want to endanger and piss off other people. I usually only go leashless when it is really uncrowded and I pretty much have my own peak. Leashless just feels more free and is the noble way to go. As it stands now I pretty much never bail my board since I only stand up surf up to head high waves, but being a begginer I would have to admit I blow it quite frequently on 5 foot steep take offs (about 50% chance still after one year-sad). So how do people really feel about people like me going leashless? Has anybody ever been endangered by a leashless surfboard?
In 15 years of bodyboarding I have never encountered a situation where a leashless surfboard put me in a dangerous situation but than again if I think back I can only remeber very skilled surfers not using a leash. Maybe it would be different if there was an epedemic of begginers ditching their leashes? It’s a tough choice as I have wittnessed many begginers who automatically bail their boards even for the weakest waves. They are definately abusing the whole purpose of their leashes. A leash can be a potentially dangerous crutch and a life savor depending on the situation.
i don’t think you really classify as a beginner after a year of surfing and some proficiency in the water. granted, there’s still plenty more to learn, i’m sure…but what others were referring to was the fact that most beginners aren’t conscious of everything happening around them. they’ll drop in on you, wipe out all the time, and seldom hang onto their board. for these people, going leashless is no good for anyone around them.
FYI…the leash is for the kook who cannot control or keep track of his/her board. If you can control your equipment, keep it near you at all times, and are a strong swimmer the leash should be forsaken (so long as you only pose a danger to yourself).
In Cheyne’s post a few people suggested that begginers surf with no leash which I found interesting since I am a begginer who likes to surf without a leash. I’ve been surfing longboards for about one year but I’ve bodyboarded for 15 years all over Latin America and Cali so I know ettiquette. I like to surf with no leash but I am hessitant because I don’t want to endanger and piss off other people. I usually only go leashless when it is really uncrowded and I pretty much have my own peak. Leashless just feels more free and is the noble way to go. As it stands now I pretty much never bail my board since I only stand up surf up to head high waves, but being a begginer I would have to admit I blow it quite frequently on 5 foot steep take offs (about 50% chance still after one year-sad). So how do people really feel about people like me going leashless? Has anybody ever been endangered by a leashless surfboard?
In 15 years of bodyboarding I have never encountered a situation where a leashless surfboard put me in a dangerous situation but than again if I think back I can only remeber very skilled surfers not using a leash. Maybe it would be different if there was an epedemic of begginers ditching their leashes? It’s a tough choice as I have wittnessed many begginers who automatically bail their boards even for the weakest waves. They are definately abusing the whole purpose of their leashes. A leash can be a potentially dangerous crutch and a life savor depending on the situation.
Beginner + no leash = danger
beginner + crowd = danger
beginner = danger
Ive learned to keep an eye on the beginners and steer clear
Where i surf ive almost been taken out by a runaway board more times than i can remember.
Then you have the beginner that drops in on you and notices you at the last moment just in time to go over the falls right in front of you so their 9 foot + longboard can come shooting out of the breaking wave like a missle.
Ending up behind a beginner when a set wave comes is bad news also. Gotta paddle like hell in the wrong direction just to get away.
I agree with Benny. Leashes are safety items, not convenience gear so that you don’t have to swim after your board. Surprises will happen especially in crowded breaks. Aim for grabbing your board, but if you miss, having a trailing leash to grab might save somebody a lot of stitches. I see a lot of people who can’t surf worth crap (or control their boards when they fall) that don’t wear leashes so they look cool. If you can absolutely control you board without a leash 100% percent of the time, great don’t use one. This would also mean you are psychic enough you see 3 people drop in on you and cause you to just miss that beginner sitting in the impact zone.
With how crowded some breaks get these days I think it’s common sense to wear a leash.
The main reason that I wear a leash is so I can attempt whatever move without having to swim a mile after every wave. Obviously if people are close by then you make sure you have full control over your board regardless.
As PeteC said, you should always aim to grab your board but mistakes do occur and the leash provides that safety net.
Pete defining a leash as a safety item is putting more confidence in the product than anyone has ever designed into it. Look at the marketing sleeve next time your in a surf shop. It will say right on it “Manufacturer, Distributor and Seller assume no responsibility or liability due to injury or damage due to the use of this product. This product is not a safety device-Nothing will replace good swimming abilities.” While it is prudent to surf with a leash, you can not rely upon them to keep you or the people around you safe. Entering the ocean in any capacity is an inherently dangerous activity. Proper training and attention to board control is essential to safety while surfing. A leash used properly will only help improve your odds.
FYI…the leash is for the kook who cannot control or keep track of his/her board. If you can control your equipment, keep it near you at all times, and are a strong swimmer the leash should be forsaken (so long as you only pose a danger to yourself).
No offense, but this is quite possibly the stupidest thing Ive ever heard. I’m a “kook” because I wear a leash the vast majority of the time when I surf? It makes no sense to say something like that. The only time I’m not wearing a leash is when Im with a group of friends, and we’re pretty much the only guys at the break. Or unless I’m doing some serious longboarding.
Most of the time I wear a leash. Ive been surfing for my entire life pretty much, since before I could walk. Can I control my board? Yes. Am I a strong swimmer? Yes. Do I feel like swimming after my board every time I fall or wipe out? Of course not, and it DOES happen. I’m the type of surfer who tries to learn new things and I push myself - always. I fall, just like everyone else on here.
If I surfed in a way that I KNEW I wouldnt fall - then I probably wouldnt use a leash. The thing is, I’m not going back to shore everytime I dont ride out of something or miss what I’m trying to do on a wave. Dont be so stereotypical.
id wear a leash unless it is small and there is nobody around just you, if theres people swimming or paddling out and you cant grab your board in time your going to piss people off and possibly hurt somebody. wear it and think as if you dont have one. its fun regardless
I read this post as a question regarding the virtues of the leash in regards to longboarding. Obviously if there is a crowd you don’t want to put other people at risk as I clearly stated. And yes, if you are falling off your board and can’t control it you are a kook and probably a danger to others.
paulobaka–one huge word you mentioned in your post is: ETIQUETTE. appropriate etiquette is to hang on to your board whether you have a leash on or not. i’ve come across more dangerous situations when beginners (who were probably taught by another beginner who thought he/she could surf) bail their boards when confronted by a breaking wave. now when there is some size, you don’t have to worry about the beginners, 'cause they get washed in or taken by the side currents and go for a tour. but, one hardly expects someone to bail their board on a knee high wave and when it does happen (usually riding a longboard) a fiberglass salvo is released and anybody behind it can get seriously whacked. if more beginners were taught some etiquette before hitting the water, then a leash would be used as it was intended, as a device of convenience, not necessity…
I read this post as a question regarding the virtues of the leash in regards to longboarding. Obviously if there is a crowd you don’t want to put other people at risk as I clearly stated. And yes, if you are falling off your board and can’t control it you are a kook and probably a danger to others.
Obviously you are simply the greatest surfer in the world. You know, having never fallen off your board and had to swim to go get it. Whether the waves are big or small, it happens to everyone. You’re pretty close minded to label me a kook and a danger to others simply because I wear a leash. You’re also such a cool person to call someone a kook on the internet, knowing nothing about them.
The reasons I wear a leash most of the time:
I’m lazy. If I fall off my board, whether it be a double overhead day or a 1 foot mush day - I do not want to have to swim for it. I realize that I am not going to make every wave I try for, especially with the way I surf - in which I try all sorts of things I probably shouldnt be. Even if its just one wave I fall off of and have to swim to get my board, that’s one wave too many.
While I take precautions not to hit waders, swimmers, other surfers - they might not take the precautions to prevent from being hit. I have no control over whether or not someone decides to let a wave push them into my board or whether they paddle right into it or not. A leash helps with those problems. It doesnt solve them, but it helps.
Damage to my board. Ive seen it happen throughout my life, and I try not to put myself in the position where I lose my board on a fall and it gets damaged either by rocks the wave may push it in, someone catching a wave and not noticing my board - or whatever else. It’s something I’d rather not deal with, and keeping the board right by me - by using a leash - solves this problem perfectly.
Now, I would say 95% of the time I surf, my leash doesnt even see any use. I’ve been surfing for over 20 years, and I still fall off my board occasionally and continue to use a leash. People have varying opinions, and I respect that - but labeling people and calling people names based on a piece of equipment they choose to use is pretty close minded.
The thing about not wearing a leash is that you have to learn how to catch your board when you fall, which should be pretty rare. I personally never wear a leash when I longboard, unless it is my performance board in larger surf, my noseriders don’t even have plugs. The reason I don’t wear a leash: noseriding. No matter what, a leash always manages to wrap around my legs a few times. Really lame… plus I guess I get caught up on the whole “traditional” thing a bit… But when I am riding my shortys I always have a leash on… why not? If you are a beginner you should wear 2 leashes, one strapping you to the board, and the other strapping you to a buddy. That is probably your safest bet. beginners/kooks without leashes hurt people, I see it happen all the time. -Carl
Dread scenario : becoming a Leash-a-holic in a sea of Leash-aholics…science fiction b-movie plot cosmic rays from passing meteor of kooktonite makes all leashes fail and reveals all “good"swimmers to be incompetent drowning victims suffering from an acute case of swimming atrophy …Enter Hasslehoffian typecast hero figure that dies trying to administer the crosschest carry to one too many drowning surf goddess with waterproof boufants…Unchallenged after years of Leash use Dr.Phillip O’Hizonepride is being mourned by the community that was blessed with his service as local podiatrist / proctologist he will be missed by wife family friends and patients ,some of whom will be missing teir appointments this week,services will be held at the chapel by the sea tuesday night at 7:30 pm to be followed by a bunt cake fund raiser at the Norton Gymnausium”,If he had only learned to do the back float’said long time bowling team mate Terry Toolong “Ive always been afraid every time I thought of him and that surfing,if he’ only stuck to bowlin’>>>”…Surfing IS advanced Swiming and Advanced study of water Dynamics ,Ettiquette is about holding YOUR pinky finger errect so the Emily Post wont be invoked…every self serving ’ jive’ rule of fashion in surfing has been broken from dont drop in to dont bail out in front of a crowd…leash or no leash surfing as a beginer or with beginers is a threat to life limb and sanity the topic of leash gratificatiion will continue to rage…know this swimming is inevitable be prepared and you will be spared criticism from Lord Bayden Powell,he stands just behind saint Peter at the pearly gates…ambrose…crowds of beginers are scary if you are the only competent swimmer you may have to rescue them all
I was going to try to quote you but you have made too many points. First off I’m glad for you and your leash and the time you spend together. Second I am NOT the best surfer who ever lived but I’m in the top 10,000.
I surf over 100 times a year in the great Pacific NW which more often than not leaves me surfing in solitude. I have made hundreds of long swims to retrieve my board in hairy conditions, this has taught me to take extreme measures to somehow hang on. BryanLamb, you are taking offense where none should be taken. This is about a guy asking a simple question about the leash and what HE should do.
Now let me also say when I ride anything else (thruster,fish etc) I always wear a leash due to little or no foot movement and more radical board maneuvers. This doesn’t mean I haven’t had to make the long swim due to broken boards and leashes. Either way, I don’t think anyone is saying that if you ride a longboard with a leash you are a kook (or whatever the term).
I misunderstood you then Stash, no worries or grudges.
It’s all cool. I think I was bothered by the stigma that a lot of people put on people who wear leashes, and kind of combined a comment you made with their opinion - and brought my stance, albeit a bit forcefully, to you. I meant no ill will.
My fault, I apologize. Its all good, and I wish you the best.
I surf without a leash, probably about half the time, maybe a little more. Usually, its because using a leash in the heavy kelp beds leads to tail hook landings on the aircraft carriers we call waves.
I’m a competent surfer. Been doing it more than 20 years. But sometimes I swim. If I swim once, I figure, “Good, I pushed myself a little.” Or sometimes, its, “OK, need to focus a little more.” If I swim a second time, I go in. It means either that I’m tired and should rest a bit & eat something or that I’m not focused enough that day and should get a leash. So I do. Its a great litmus test to surf without a leash and another great rule of thumb to know when to quit. many sessions go by without swimming at all. Many others, I wear a leash from the beginning. But pride should never enter into it. With pride being part of the equation, you’re just an unnecessary danger to youself & others (and your beloved foam & glass).
It may be that leashes cause more injuries and havoc than without them. People would not be taking off on waves they cant make if they had to pay a price of either a long swim or board damage. People would learn very quickly to control their boards. The whole dynamic would be different if all were leashless. How many surfers cant swim well and depend on the leash as their water wings? I would speculate that we might have 20 to 30 per cent less people in the water.
I got hit hard in the head the other day by a board that was attached to a guy who took off in front of me. He failed to control his board because he never had to learn that skill. If one must use a leash, as was stated above, surf as if you are not wearing one.